Femicide In Mexico

Women’s Struggles Persist Under Mexico’s First Female President

By Ximena Rodríguez-López

Mexico City, Mexico - As Mexico gears up for International Women’s Day this Saturday, the country’s streets will once again be filled with the voices of thousands demanding justice, equality, and real action against sex-based violence. But this year, the march carries an added layer of complexity—five months into the tenure of Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, activists are warning that progress for women remains fragile, and in some areas, under threat.

Sheinbaum’s historic rise to power was heralded as a breakthrough for sex representation in Latin America’s second-largest economy. Yet, many of the women who helped pave the way for her election are now questioning whether political symbolism is being met with real structural change. Despite the milestone, Mexico continues to grapple with alarming rates of femicide, domestic violence, and systemic gender inequality.

According to official reports, more than 500 women were murdered in the first month of 2025 alone, a grim statistic that underscores the urgency of the movement. Protesters are calling for stronger legal protections, accountability in the justice system, and increased funding for shelters and support services for victims of abuse. But rather than expanding resources, Sheinbaum’s administration has overseen a four percent budget cut to the National Shelter Network, affecting nearly 11,000 women and children who rely on these life-saving services.

“The fact that we have a female president does not mean women are automatically safe,” said one activist organizing this year’s demonstrations. “Representation matters, but without action, it’s just a facade. We need real policy changes, not just political milestones.”

Further fueling tensions is a proposed judicial reform that activists argue could weaken the prosecution of femicide cases, reducing already-limited legal pathways for victims seeking justice. Critics worry that such reforms, coupled with cuts to essential services, could lead to a regression in the fight against gender-based violence.

Despite the setbacks, the feminist movement in Mexico remains as fierce as ever. This year’s International Women’s Day protests are expected to be among the largest in recent history, serving as a stark reminder that the struggle for equality does not end with electing a woman to power. The pressure is on Sheinbaum’s administration to prove that her presidency is more than just a historic first—that it is, instead, a turning point for the women of Mexico.